1Ls: The Library Can Help You Through Your First Year

1Ls will soon discover that law school classes are different than undergraduate classes.  In an undergraduate class, you typically have a textbook which sets out what you need to know in a fairly straightforward manner.  Law school classes use case books composed of judicial opinions.  It is up to you to read the cases, figure out the rule of law set forth in the case, and then arrange all the rules of law, from all the cases, into an outline.  At exam time, you apply your outline of the law to fact patterns written by your professor.

Study Aids (books and audio CDs) can help you identify the important points in a case, and synthesize the body of law.  Study aids contain discussions of the cases in your case book, outlines and sample exam questions.   You can check out study aids at the library!  Take a look at our Study Aids Guide or come to the Information Services desk and ask.   Study aids are in Room A066 (one level down from the first floor.  The first floor is the floor where you enter the library).

There are two online study aids:  Courtroom View Network and CALI .  Courtroom View Network contains MP3s of the cases in your case book as well as case summaries.  CALI contains interactive lessons.

The librarians can also help you with your legal research assignments.  We look forward to helping you this year!  Contact a Librarian